Bhagavad Gita 13.19
Spoken by Krishna · Verse 19 of 34
इति क्षेत्रं तथा ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं चोक्तं समासतः / मद्भक्त एतद् विज्ञाय मद्भावायोपपद्यते
iti kṣetraṃ tathā jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ coktaṃ samāsataḥ / mad-bhakta etad vijñāya mad-bhāvāyopapadyate
The field, knowledge, and the Knowable stated — the devotee who grasps all three attains Krishna's own nature.
Word by word (3)
- iti kṣetram tathā jñānam jñeyam ca uktam samāsataḥ
- — Thus (iti) the kṣetra (field), also (tathā) the jñāna (knowledge/its qualities), and the jñeyam (the Knowable) have been stated (uktam) in brief (samāsataḥ) · The closing stamp on the first major movement of Ch.13. Samāsataḥ = briefly, concisely (the same word used in V7's closing of the kṣetra definition). The three-fold framework: (1) kṣetra = V6-V7 (the field defined); (2) jñānam = V8-V12 (the 20 qualities of knowledge); (3) jñeyam = V13-V18 (Brahman described). These three elements constitute the complete epistemological map.
- mad-bhaktaḥ etat vijñāya
- — my devotee (mad-bhakta = bhakta of Me), knowing/understanding (vijñāya = having known thoroughly, from vi + jñā) this (etat = this three-fold teaching) · Mad-bhakta: the recipient is specifically the devotee. Not 'the philosopher,' not 'the ascetic,' not 'the scholar' — the bhakta. This returns to the 'avyabhicāriṇī bhakti' of quality 15 (V11): the bhakta who has the jñāna qualities AND loves with unswerving devotion. Vijñāya = special knowledge (vi + jñā = know thoroughly, know in its full depth, distinguishing reality from appearance). Not mere information but vijñāna (integrated wisdom).
- mad-bhāvāya upapadyate
- — is fitted for / attains (upapadyate = comes to, is entitled to, fits into) my state/nature (mad-bhāva = my being, my essential nature) · Mad-bhāva = my-ness, my essential being. Not 'like Me' but 'into Me' — the bhakta-jñānī who understands kṣetra-jñāna-jñeya actually attains the nature of Krishna (Brahman). Upapadyate = comes to be fit for, is entitled to arrive at. This is the mokṣa-promise: the knowledge of this chapter is not academic — it liberates and transforms the knower into the Knower.
Thus the field, and knowledge, and the object of knowledge have been told in brief. My devotee, understanding this, becomes fit for My own state.
A modern analogy
A navigator who understands the map (kṣetra = the terrain), possesses good eyesight and judgment (jñāna = the twenty qualities), and knows the destination (jñeyam = Brahman) is automatically fit to complete the journey. This verse says: the one who understands all three of these arrives. Upapadyate = the natural completion of a process, not a special reward.
What it does NOT mean
Upapadyate might be taken as 'eventually attains after more lifetimes.' But Śaṃkara reads it as direct: vijñāya (having thoroughly understood) + upapadyate (becomes fit immediately). The attainment is not delayed — it follows the understanding as naturally as light follows the opening of an eye.
Public-domain translations (4) compare all →
Thus Kshetra, knowledge, and that which has to be known, have been briefly stated. Knowing this, My devotee is fitted for My state. [4]
[Arnold full chapter text; verse summarises the three topics and states the devotee attains Krishna's nature] [7]
Thus in brief has been described the Kshetra, as also knowledge and the Knowable. My devotee, understanding this, is fit for union with Me. [9]
Thus, in brief, have been declared the Kshetra, knowledge, and the Knowable. My devotee, knowing this, becomes fit for My state. [13]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
With mind attached, practising yoga, taking refuge in Me — hear how you shall know Me fully, without doubt.
This divine māyā of Mine, made of the guṇas, is hard to cross — but those who take refuge in Me alone do cross it.
Four kinds of virtuous persons worship Me: the distressed, the seeker, the ends-seeker, and the wise.
Of the four, the jñānī excels — ever steadfast, one-pointed: I am supremely dear to the wise; the wise is dear to Me.
At the end of many births, the wise takes refuge in Me — 'Vāsudeva is all.' That great soul is exceedingly rare.
Whatever form a devotee seeks to worship with śraddhā — that very faith I make unwavering.
Verse 19 of 34 · back to Chapter 13